Parliamentary questions
George Foulkes
1,927 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
22 Nov 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-37161 by Shona Robison on 11 November 2010, how much it has estimated that the sale of the domestic and international broadcaster rights will generate.
Answer · Shona Robison: An important element of the games budget is the £89 million income that will be generated from commercial revenue streams. This revenue will be raised from sponsorship, ticketing, licensing of merchandising and through the sale of the domestic and internation…
22 Nov 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-37161 by Shona Robison on 11 November 2010, how much has been allocated for the anticipated cost of procuring a commercial host broadcast service provider.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee is currently in the process of developing the most appropriate strategy for engaging the services of a host broadcasting service for the games. The procurement process is scheduled to commence in the first half of 2011 as…
22 Nov 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-37254 by John Swinney on 22 November 2010, whether it will provide a (a) job description and (b) salary for each of the posts listed.
4 Nov 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-36778 by John Swinney on 26 October 2010, what the relationship is of the Scottish Futures Trust and the Infrastructure Investment Group and how their roles differ.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Futures Trust (SFT) is represented on the Infrastructure Investment Group (IIG).</b></p> <p >SFT''s focus is deriving value for money in project delivery across the public sector, through its roles in delivering projects; brokering collaboration…
4 Nov 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-36778 by John Swinney on 26 October 2010, how often the Infrastructure Investment Group has met; what was discussed in each case; where each meeting was held, and at what cost.
Answer · John Swinney: The Infrastructure Investment Group (IIG) was established in 2005 to consider and discuss matters relating to the Scottish Government''s capital spend. The dates and agenda items for meetings since May 2007 are as follows:</p> <p >20 July 2007 <…
4 Nov 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-36778 by John Swinney on 26 October 2010, what the membership is of the Infrastructure Investment Group, broken down by (a) name, (b) job role and (c) employer.
Answer · John Swinney: The Infrastructure Investment Group''s membership regularly comprises the following senior representatives from both the Scottish Government and its core agencies, such as Transport Scotland and the Scottish Prison Service; the Scottish Futures Trust and the …
4 Nov 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-6845 by John Swinney on 6 December 2007, what the value is of the pay ranges that apply in its core directorates and the percentage of its total staff in each pay range.
Answer · John Swinney: The value of the pay ranges which apply in the Scottish Government core directorates and the percentage of the total staff in each range are as follows:</b></p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <tr > <td nowrap valign=top > <p align=left…
4 Nov 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what overseas trips by ministers are (a) booked and (b) planned before May 2011, broken down by (i) minister involved, (ii) purpose and (iii) number of officials expected to attend.
Answer · John Swinney: The detailed information requested is currently being collated and I will write to the member as soon as the information is available and a copy will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 52066). </b></p>
4 Nov 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-36816 by Michael Russell on 29 October 2010, what methodology was used to calculate the value to the economy of Scottish universities’ international activities.
Answer · Michael Russell: The £500 million figure was provided by Universities Scotland and is taken from an independent economic impact study undertaken by BiGGAR Economics Limited.</b></p>
4 Nov 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-36750 by Kenny MacAskill on 7 October 2010, whether the announcement will be made to the Parliament.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I will inform the Parliament how the announcement will be made in due course.</b></p>
28 Oct 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what estimate it has made of the loss in sponsorship revenue to the 2014 Commonwealth Games following the BBC decision to withdraw as host broadcaster.
Answer · Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-37161 on 11 November 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at:</p> <p >http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/A…
28 Oct 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what estimate it has made of the additional cost to the 2014 Commonwealth Games of providing TV coverage following the BBC decision to withdraw as host broadcaster.
Answer · Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-37161 on 11 November 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at:</p> <p >http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Ap…
28 Oct 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the decision by the BBC to withdraw as host broadcaster of the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Answer · Shona Robison: The approach to broadcasting at previous Commonwealth Games has varied. At Manchester 2002, for instance, the provider of the host broadcasting function and the domestic broadcast rights holder were the same organisation. On other occasions, for example Melbo…
28 Oct 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was of the delegation to the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
Answer · Shona Robison: Although final costs have still to be confirmed, the estimated cost of flights and accommodation for the Scottish Government delegation which went to Delhi to support Team Scotland at the 2010 Commonwealth Games; attend the Observer programme to learn for Gla…
28 Oct 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the current budget reduction, whether it will keep vacant the position of Director-General Health and Chief Executive of the NHS in Scotland.
Answer · John Swinney: The recruitment strategy for the post of Director-General Health and Social Care and Chief Executive of the NHS in Scotland is currently under consideration.</p>
28 Oct 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions ministers have had with the (a) Secretary of State for Scotland and (b) Deputy Prime Minister regarding the possible change of date to the Scottish Parliament election in 2015.
Answer · Jim Mather: Scottish Ministers have written to the UK Government on a number of occasions to express their opposition to the proposal to hold the next UK General Election on the same day as elections to the Scottish Parliament in 2015. Scottish Ministers have also raised…
14 Oct 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-33658 by Michael Russell on 1 June 2010 and publication of the report, Securing a Sustainable Future for Higher Education, whether it remains its position that it has no plans for an independent review of tertiary education funding in Scotland.
Answer · Michael Russell: Yes.</b></p>
13 Oct 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the First Minister discussed the financial difficulties of The Gathering 2009 with the deputy leader of the City of Edinburgh Council prior to meeting him on 12 October 2009.
Answer · Jim Mather: The First Minister discussed the financial difficulties of The Gathering 2009 Ltd with the Deputy Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council in a telephone call on 9 October 2009. During that call, the First Minister invited the Deputy Leader and City of Edinbur…
13 Oct 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what meetings the First Minister has attended with representatives of the City of Edinburgh Council to discuss The Gathering 2009.
Answer · Jim Mather: The First Minister attended a meeting on 12 October 2009 to explore whether the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo might purchase The Gathering 2009 Ltd with a view to delivering future Gathering events and securing the associated economic benefits for Scotland.…
13 Oct 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what meetings have taken place between the First Minister and the deputy leader of the City of Edinburgh Council since May 2007 and what issues were discussed.
Answer · Jim Mather: The First Minister and the Deputy Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council both attended a meeting on 12 October 2009. That meeting explored whether the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo might purchase The Gathering 2009 Ltd with a view to delivering future Gath…
13 Oct 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many journeys have been undertaken by (a) the First Minister and (b) each cabinet secretary in each financial year since 2007, broken down by mode of transport.
Answer · John Swinney: Information relating to use of the Government Car Service and ministerial rail travel covering 2007 to 2010 has been pro-actively published and can be found on the Scottish Government website at:</p> <p >http://www.scotland.gov.uk/About/14944.</b></p> <p >W…
8 Oct 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will conclude its review of the long-term arrangement for maintenance of resilience equipment operated by the Scottish Fire Service
Answer · Fergus Ewing: A business case to maintain current resilience capabilities and equipment to deal with chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear incidents, on a multi agency basis, is being finalised. This involved discussions with all three emergency services including …
7 Oct 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3M-36440 by Fiona Hyslop on 30 September 2010, whether it has had face to face meetings with representatives of the UK Government; what written representations have been made to the UK Government, and what response has been received.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to S3W-36440 in relation to the written representations that were made to the UK Government to which a response was received on 22 October 2010. Discussions at Ministerial level are continuing and in addition to this Scottish …
7 Oct 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-36496 by Michael Russell on 28 September 2010, whether it can now provide information on the engagements of the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning during his trip to China; who he will see; who will accompany him, and what the tota…
Answer · Michael Russell: I undertook a range of engagements in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing and Tianjin focusing on education (schools, vocational and skills based training, further and higher education) but also covering life sciences, renewable energy, the arts and culture. A full …
7 Oct 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-36452 by Fiona Hyslop on 30 September 2010, whether it considers an in-house review of existing research and statistical evidence an adequate measure to assess and explore the factors affecting the decisions of both immigrants and emigrants.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government considers the in-house review to be sufficient in the current financial climate. The review found that across existing studies, labour market opportunities emerged as the key driver of migration and settlement decisions for all migrant…
7 Oct 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-36449 by Alex Neil on 30 September 2010, for what reason projections of the number of homes to be built for rent or low-cost ownership are not held centrally and whether it will consider its position on holding this information.
Answer · Alex Neil: The Scottish Government does not hold or publish projections nationally which distinguish between new build and other affordable housing investment programme (AHIP) activity such as rehabilitation or off-the-shelf purchases as projects may change throughout t…
7 Oct 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-36453 by Jim Mather on 30 September 2010, which of the programmes have followed Recommendation 3 in the Council of Economic Advisers: Second Annual Report.
Answer · Jim Mather: The programmes mentioned in the answer to question S3W-36453 relate to Recommendation 5 of the Council of Economic Advisers which states The Council recommends that the Scottish Government conducts a review of the scope for innovation in the services sector.<…
7 Oct 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the response to question S3W-36450 by Jim Mather on 30 September 2010, whether it will provide an answer that specifically addresses the issue raised in the question and when it expects an answer to its request for the release of funds from the Fossil Fuel Levy account.
Answer · Jim Mather: My answer to question S3W-36450 referred specifically to the new UK Government''s commitment, published in May this year, to review the control and use of accumulated and future revenues from the Fossil Fuel Levy (FFL) in Scotland (currently standing at £191 …
7 Oct 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many full-time equivalent staff and at what grade were employed in the Protocol and UK Relations unit in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2008-09 and (c) 2007-08.
Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-36766 on 17 November 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Busine…
7 Oct 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what work is being undertaken by the Protocol and UK Relations unit.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Protocol and UK Relations Division is responsible for: </b></p> <p >(i) all matters of ministerial, royal and ceremonial protocol, including royal, state and VIP visits and events, jubilee celebrations, garden parties, the appointments of Lord-Lieutenan…